Spartak Moscow have emerged as rivals to Arsenal for Napoli defender Nikola Maksimovic, according to SportItalia (via TalkSport).
The Serbian international has struggled for game time with the Partenopei following his move to the Sao Paolo in 2016. The Gunners have been scouting the 26 year old since the summer, but their interest has never led to a formal bid for the player.
Spartak are said to have made an enquiry for Maksimovic, and it remains to be seen whether the Gunners will now look to step up their pursuit of the 26 year old.
Despite their defensive problems this season, Arsenal’s focus in the January transfer window has been on signing attacking talent, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan being the two names most heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates.
A young defender in Konstantinos Mavropanos has arrived from Greece, but so far moves for a more senior centre back, like Jonny Evans, have not materialised.
